7 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Web Designer

Hiring the wrong web designer can cost you thousands of dollars and months of wasted time. I have seen businesses burned by designers who disappeared mid-project, delivered unusable websites, or held sites hostage over payment disputes.

After 29 years in this industry, I know what separates professionals from amateurs. Ask these seven questions before you sign anything.

Question 1: Can I See Examples of Sites You Have Built?

This seems obvious, but you would be surprised how many people skip it. Ask for:

• Live websites: Not just screenshots. Visit the actual sites.
• Similar projects: Have they built sites for businesses like yours?
• Recent work: A portfolio from 2019 does not show current skills.

Red flags:

• No portfolio at all
• Only template-based work with minor modifications
• Sites that are slow, broken, or look outdated
• Reluctance to share client references

What to look for:

• Clean, professional designs
• Sites that load quickly
• Mobile-friendly layouts
• Clear calls to action

Question 2: Who Owns the Website When It Is Done?

This is critical. Some designers retain ownership of your site and charge you monthly fees forever. If you stop paying, they take down your website.

Ask specifically:

• Will I own the website files and code?
• Will I own the domain name?
• Can I move the site to a different host if I want?
• Will you provide all login credentials?

Get it in writing. A legitimate web designer will transfer full ownership to you upon final payment. If they hesitate or add conditions, walk away.

At AppWT, you own everything. We hand over all files, all logins, and full control. You are never locked in.

Question 3: What Is Included in the Price?

Website quotes can be wildly misleading. A low price often means critical features are missing or will cost extra later.

Make sure the quote includes:

• Mobile-responsive design
• Basic SEO setup (title tags, meta descriptions)
• Contact form functionality
• SSL certificate setup
• Speed optimization
• Training on how to make basic edits
• Post-launch support (how long?)

Common hidden costs to ask about:

• Hosting setup and ongoing fees
• Domain registration
• Stock photo licenses
• Content writing
• Additional pages beyond the initial scope
• E-commerce features and payment processing
• Ongoing maintenance

Get a detailed written proposal that lists exactly what you are getting. If a designer cannot tell you what is included, they are making it up as they go.

Question 4: What Is Your Timeline and Process?

A professional web designer has a defined process. They can tell you exactly what happens and when.

Ask about:

• How long will the project take from start to finish?
• What are the major milestones?
• When will I see the first design concepts?
• How many rounds of revisions are included?
• What do you need from me and when?
• What happens if the project runs late?

Red flags:

• No clear timeline
• Vague answers like "a few weeks"
• No milestones or checkpoints
• No discussion of what they need from you

A typical business website should take 2-4 weeks. If a designer says it will take 3-6 months for a basic site, either they are overloaded or inefficient.

Question 5: What Happens After the Site Launches?

Your website needs ongoing care. Security updates, backups, content changes, and technical issues do not stop when the site goes live.

Ask about:

• How long is post-launch support included?
• What does support cover?
• Do you offer maintenance plans?
• What are the costs for changes after launch?
• How quickly do you respond to urgent issues?
• Will you train me to make my own updates?

What good support looks like:

• At least 30 days of post-launch support included
• Clear maintenance plan options
• Reasonable hourly rates for additional work
• Training so you can handle basic updates yourself

Some designers disappear after launch. Others charge outrageous fees for simple changes. Know what you are getting into.

Question 6: How Do You Handle SEO and Mobile?

In 2026, a website that is not mobile-friendly and SEO-optimized is worthless. These are not optional add-ons.

Ask specifically:

• Is the site designed mobile-first or desktop-first?
• How do you ensure fast page load speeds?
• What SEO elements are included?
• Will the site be accessible to people with disabilities?
• Do you set up Google Analytics and Search Console?

Mobile-first is essential. Over 70% of web traffic comes from mobile devices. If a designer starts with desktop and "makes it responsive" later, the mobile experience will suffer.

Basic SEO should be standard. This includes proper title tags, meta descriptions, heading structure, image optimization, and XML sitemap. If SEO is treated as a premium add-on for basic sites, find another designer.

Question 7: What Are Your Payment Terms?

How and when you pay affects your risk. The wrong payment structure can leave you with nothing if the project goes sideways.

Standard payment structures:

• 50/50: Half upfront, half at launch. Most common and fair for both parties.
• Thirds: One-third upfront, one-third at design approval, one-third at launch.
• Monthly: For larger projects, monthly payments tied to milestones.

Red flags:

• 100% upfront payment required
• No contract or written agreement
• Vague payment terms
• No refund policy discussed

Always get a contract. It protects both you and the designer. A professional will have a standard agreement ready. If they balk at putting terms in writing, that tells you something.

Bonus: Questions to Ask Yourself

Before you hire anyone, be honest with yourself:

• Do I have content ready? Photos, text, and branding? If not, factor in time and cost for content creation.
• Do I know what I want? Can you describe your goals, or are you expecting the designer to figure it out?
• Is my budget realistic? A $500 budget will not get you a custom professional website.
• Am I ready to participate? Good websites require client input. You cannot disappear and expect great results.

How AppWT Answers These Questions

At AppWT, we are transparent about everything:

• Portfolio: We share live sites and client references freely.
• Ownership: You own everything. Period. No lock-in, no hostage situations.
• Pricing: Detailed proposals with no hidden fees. The quote is the price.
• Timeline: Clear milestones and realistic deadlines. Most sites launch in 2-4 weeks.
• Support: 30 days included, plus affordable maintenance plans.
• SEO and Mobile: Standard on every project. Not an upsell.
• Payment: 50/50 split or payment plans. Written contract for every project.

We have been doing this for 29 years because we treat clients the way we would want to be treated.

Ready to Talk?

If you are looking for a web designer in Michigan, contact us for a free consultation. We will answer all seven questions and any others you have.

No pressure, no sales tactics. Just honest answers from a team that has been building websites since 1997.